My mom just left to do a 2 1/2 year sentance @ Alderson FPC :cry: ...I've read up on the rules etc. on sending her letters and what I can/can't send her and all that....but I do have some questions...

Do they actually read your letters? Is there anything that you shouldn't write about in them?:(

Also, about keeping in touch...I'm scared about how to talk to my mom in my letters. I was very close to my mom before she left, and now I'm afraid that we'll drift apart and things won't be the same when she comes home. I've tried talking to friends, family etc. about this but no one seems to really understand....... how do you really connect with your mom when she's incarcerated?
I'm only 18 and I have a long life ahead of me.......I'm really upset about my mom missing out on important events....how do I work through this??:confused: ??


Thank you,
Nicole :)

Nicole,

First of Welcome to the PTO Family!

I watched my daughter got through much the same as you described, just before I was sent to prison.

She was much younger than you then and I know how it hurt her, so I think I have some idea what you are going through. I do know what you Mom is.

I think, if anything my time away, brought Sara and I closer, instead of drifting apart.

With my parent's help she wrote me a letter or a note almost every day, and was always the first to answer the phone when I called. My parent's and my partner helped her keep me in the loop on things that was going on in her life.

Also, they encouraged her to still come to me concerning major things in her life, decisions, problems, etc.. I think out of that we developed a trust that was not there before I went away, a trust that we will always share.

Write Mom everyday, keep her up to date, tell her what is making you happy or sad, and visit as often as you can.

Where I was at, yes they opened our letter, and on occasion they were read, but mostly they briefed over them, and that was it.

You will be amazed at how you do stay connected, just remember the love and the bond between the two of you before she went in, and you will know the answer.

At 18 2 1/2 years seemed like a long, long time to me, at 52, it is not so long now, yes you do have a long life ahead of you and your Mom is always going to be a part of it, no matter how far from each other you live.

We are here for you, don't be afraid to ask questions when you need an answer, and when you need too, lean on your PTO Family, we will all get through this together.

Patti

Thank you for welcoming me, and thank you for all the support!!

What kind of groups are available on here for gals like me??

Nicole :-)

Alderson is pretty nice as jails go, however they have moved ALL the ladies up the hill to two dorms so it is a little crowded